Display sign and method of construction



Nov. 16, 1937. R. H. STEWART DISPLAY sIGN AND METHOD oF CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 8. 1936 NTD/@ i z t INVENTOR. oe/ Hfen/arf )f /f l ATTORNEY.

atented Nov. 16T, 1937 UNITED STATES 2,09@,fiill PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY SIGN AND lwETHOD F CON- 1 Claim.

This invention relates to display signs and has particular reference to display signs for interior use in stores, offices and the like.

An object of the invention is to construct a sign which is light in weight, sturdy in construction, economical to manufacture and appealing to the eye.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of constructing a display sign by laminating plies of Wood, or other material, having diierent shapes, color and light treating characteristics.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds, reference being made to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a display sign embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the device illustrated in Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a. transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now with more particularity to .the drawing it will be seen that my display sign consists of a plane portion 5, a frame 6, intelligible subject matters 'l and decorative elements 8 and 8a, respectively.

I prefer to make the entire display sign from a plurality of layers of Wood veneer, but it is Within the contemplation of my invention to make it of other materials having such characteristics Y as Will make for the results hereinafter described. In the embodiment herein disclosed the plane portion 5 consists of a relatively thin layer of Wood veneer. The layer of Wood veneer 5 is of such thickness as to be translucent. I prefer to make the layer 5 translucent for it enablesk me to utilize the natural grain in the Wood to simulate a background with more perspective and adds additional artistic subject matter to the decorative elements. The other layers co-mprising the frame 6, and the layers carrying the intelligible subject matters 1 and the decorative elements 8 and 8a are preferably a darker colored Wood and are opaque. In the embodiment disclosed, I have shown a decorative element 8 on the reverse side of the sign. This element may comprise any predetermined pattern cut by a scroll or jig saw from an opaque sheet of material. The marginal edges 9 of the layer carrying the decorative elements 8 are arranged to serve as one layer of the frame 6, and the cut out `55 portions I5 of the same layer are arranged to permit light to pass through the plane portion 5, with the result that the pattern oi the decorative subject matter 8 forms a silhouette on lthe pa'le portion 5 and the silhouette is given perspective by the grain in the portion 5.

superimposed on the front side of the piane portion 5 is another layer of opaque material ll, in which are cut predetermined decorative patterns 8a and intelligible subject matters l. The marginal edges i4 of the layer Il are also arranged 10 to serve as one layer of the laminated frame 6. In practice the frame 6 may consist of as many plies as may be desired to give the proper perspective to the subject matter carried on the sign. The plies comprising the frame proper may be in the form of narrow strips mitered together, or they may be continuous rectangles formed by cutting the centers out of flat sheets of material. The several elements comprising the sign are preferably then secured to one another byan adhesive substance (not shown). The resulting 20 sign is very sturdy because of its laminated structure and at the same time it is light in Weight and very attractive, particularly When placed near a Window or other source of light. It is common practice in making laminated Wood to lay the 5 plies with the grains of the several plies disposed in different directions. That practice enhances the resulting eiect gained in constructing devices in the manner taught by applicant. By judicious selection of the Woods going into my devices, with reference to color and other light treating characteristics, I can vary the esthetic appeal of the devices considerably; for example, the translucent element 5 may be of such thick- 35 ness and color and may be grained in such manner that the grain may be arranged to simulate clouds, land, Water or other elements, which Would give added artistic subject matter to the completed assembly. 40

In the within disclosure, I have illustrated one s embodiment of my invention in the form of a matters and makes the entire assembly rigid and strong, however light in weight.

Having described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A device of the character described comprising the combination of a plurality of superimposed laminated layers of naturally grained Wood, the

grains of the several layers being disposed in different directions, at least one of Said layers having diierent light treating characteristics, and another of said layers having decorative cut-out portions superimposed on said last named layer. 5

ROBERT H. STEWART. 

